Limited appointments are available, so we encourage you to call and reserve a time as early as possible. Sessions are $100 and the fee is due at the time of your appointment.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a session, please call Kathy at 325-481-8888. We look forward to providing you and your family with this special keepsake!

Capturing Your Baby’s Heartbeat

Many special moments occur during your pregnancy journey including hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. This milestone moment can be recorded and saved as a precious keepsake for years to come.

Recording your baby’s heartbeat builds a connection between a mother, baby, family and your birth care provider. Shannon offers a small recording device to capture the sound of your little miracle’s heart.

At every OB checkup your doctor will monitor your baby’s heartbeat using a Doppler or ultrasound unit. When you’re able to hear this special sound for the first time, ask your provider for time to record the heartbeat.

How to record your baby’s heartbeat:
• Before recording your baby’s heartbeat, pull the plastic tab out of the back of the recorder.
• Slide the switch into record mode.
• Squeeze heart to start recording.
• Record into mic for up to 30 seconds.
• Release heart to stop recording.
• Slide the switch into playback mode.
• Squeeze heart to hear your baby’s heartbeat for years to come.

Replacing the recorder batteries:Each recorder uses 3 LR44 batteries which can be purchased at most stores.• Remove screw from back of recorder.
• Slide out the compartment door.
• Remove and discard the old batteries.
• Insert new batteries.
• Replace the compartment door.
• Screw the door back into place.
• Discard the old batteries immediately for safety.

Nursery

If your baby should need more specialized care, our Special Care Nursery is just steps away. This area is equipped with high-level technology and certified staff to care for babies with special needs.

Shannon was the first level II neonatal unit in Texas to be surveyed by the Texas EMS Trauma and Acute Care Foundation (TETAF), and one of the first level II neonatal units to receive designation. As a level II Special Care Nursery, Shannon will continue to provide the same level of specialty and intensive care that our patients and families are accustomed to.

The designation comes as a result of legislation passed in 2013 requiring Texas to establish and implement neonatal and maternal level of care designations by March 1, 2018, with the intent of ensuring neonatal special care and intensive care units have the resources and expertise to provide high-quality patient care that leads to the best outcomes for newborn patients and their families.

Texas is one of the first states requiring neonatal care units to undergo a site visit to verify the level of care provided to patients meets the Neonatal Levels of Care classifications as defined in the Texas Administrative Code.

Breast Feeding

Shannon Medical Center provides lactation consultation services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The consultants receive special training in the area of breastfeeding and all are certified by the International Lactation Consultant Association.

Slight sensitivity with initial latch is normal but discomfort should completely subside after 15-30 seconds of nursing. After that amount of time you should feel no pain or discomfort. If you are experiencing pain, check the infant’s mouth for flanged lips and that most of the areola is in the infant’s mouth.

Q) How do I know if my baby is getting anything or enough to eat?

We watch for the number of wet and dirty diapers, as well as monitoring the infant’s weight to ensure your baby is eating enough. Most infants will lose some weight in the first few days, then begin to gain weight, returning to birth weight by two weeks of age.

Q) What is considered a “normal” number of minutes for an infant to remain at each breast?

Feeding times vary greatly from baby to baby. The best way to ensure your infant is receiving the right amount of fore milk and hind milk, and empties your breasts adequately is to: latch infant to right breast and allow infant to nurse until they fall off or goes to sleep with no continued nursing with stimulation. Then, burp the infant and offer the left breast. The infant may feed less to this side or refuse all together. With the next feeding begin with the left breast. (If your left breast feels full or is uncomfortable you may want to pump for comfort and store the milk.)

Q) Do breastfed infants need to be burped?

Yes! Most breastfed infants have less gas because there is no air inside the breast for them to swallow. However, your infant can swallow air with latching attempts, during crying spells or just with general swallowing while not at the breast. Burping your baby before, during and after a feeding is always a good idea.

Lactation

The first time you hold your newborn in the delivery room is a great time to start breastfeeding. At the beginning, your body will produce small amounts of special milk called colostrum which helps protect your baby from infection.

Don’t panic if your newborn seems to have trouble finding your nipple or staying latched. Breastfeeding requires patience and lots of practice. Please do not hesitate to ask your nurse for assistance or request visits from Shannon’s lactation consultants during and after your stay in the hospital.

Shannon’s lactation consultation services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The consultants receive special training in the area of breastfeeding and all are certified by the International Lactation Consultant Association. Lactation consultants may be reached any time at 325-234-0391 or 325-481-6326.